Kenyan driver dies in Kagera fuel tanker crash

KAGERA: A KENYAN national died on the spot after a fuel tanker overturned and caught fire in Kagera Region on Sunday afternoon.

Kagera Regional Police Commander, Senior Assistant Commissioner of Police (SACP) Blasius Chatanda, identified the deceased as Shafii Mohamod Omary (27), who was driving a Benz lorry with registration number SSB 319 AB and trailer number SSB 953 AB carrying petrol from Dar es Salaam to South Sudan.

He said the lorry attendant, Nelson Kprimo (28), also a Kenyan national, survived the accident and is receiving treatment at Bukoba Regional Referral Hospital in stable condition.

According to SACP Chatanda, the accident occurred at around 2 pm at Katoma village, a few kilometres from Bukoba Municipality.

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“Preliminary investigations show that the lorry lost control while descending a steep hill at Katoma village before overturning and catching fire. The driver died instantly,” he said.

He commended residents for refraining from collecting the spilled fuel, warning that such actions could have caused a major explosion and loss of lives.

The police commander said investigations into the accident are continuing and urged motorists to exercise caution when using the Bukoba–Kyaka road, especially on steep corners.